looking for hiking boot recommendations

[DaveO]

Been lurking here quite awhile, finally joined, love the site.

Anyway, I'm looking for an all season boot. My feet get hot really quickly so I'm afraid of gortex. Right now I have gortex trail running shoes which are great in the winter, but too hot in the summer. I need more support than a running shoe can provide. Was thinking about getting a lighter summer boot and then getting thicker socks for the winter. Not sure how this would effect fit, worried boot may either be too loose in the summer or too tight in the winter. Any advice? Thanks in advance.

[Sergemaster]

I'm baised to Montrails myself, but what you really need to do is conduct a little research into what you're looking for a boot to do. Will it be used for backpacking, rock scrambling and mountaineering, or just plain day hiking? If the latters the case over the former, than a heavy soled alpine boot may be overkill for you.

Your best bet, go to the local outdoor store and try on a few pairs that catch your eye. If your a voracious reader like myself, then try to pick up or go online and get the best of 2011 gear reviews issue that was in Backpacker Magazine.

For all you know, a pair of Vasque Bitteroot boots may be the solution to your question..

Cheers,
Serge

[DaveO]

thanks, I know I only need day hikers, not going to be carrying a ton of weight on them. I guess I'll have to go to REI and just try them on. all the shops around me only carry Merrell's which I like, but find are very narrow for me. At least from the two pairs of low-cut hikers I have.

[eaglpaul]

My feet get hot really quickly so I'm afraid of gortex.

OK, this might sound like a really strange suggestion, but bear with me, I've been putting this into practice and it works for me. Go buy a stick of Anti-Perspirant, make sure it's Anti-Perspirant and not just deodorant. Check the ingredients, you're looking for Aluminum Zirconium Tetrachlorohydrex GLY or Aluminum Chlorhydrate, pretty much anything with an Aluminum base will work. Rub that on your feet before you go hiking, or before you put your boots on. It works the exact same way as Anti-Perspirant does on the underarm, it shrinks the sweat glands causing your feet to remain dryer longer, and keeps your feet cool.

I am in the military, and am currently in Afghanistan, I do a lot of walking in the heat, and I can tell you from experience that this works. I helps save time by not having to switch out your socks as often, and keeps you more comfortable on long patrols. Most of the guys over here don't wear combat boots, I myself wear hiking boots because of the rocky terrain that I have to walk over, and my feet sweat very easily. After I started doing this, I have been much more comfortable, and able to perform better. Don't be afraid of Gortex, it's your friend, instead try and take care of the problem at the source. Hope this helps.

[natchez]

eaglpaul, take care and stay safe. it sounds very dangerous what you are doing in afghanistan. being in afghanistan sounds dangerous by itself already. when are you due to be released?